Review: Simple Treats Restaurant, San Pablo City

First, the restaurant should be renamed to: Simple Taste. You know that feeling when you did not get what you paid for?

We had dinner at this place called "Simple Treats by CDC". From what it looks like on the outside, we were expecting really good dining experience. We decided to try this restaurant because it's new to us (they've been around for a year and 3 months as of this writing) and because it's my Aunt's birthday. Sad thing, they do not have proper parking areas. You have to park at your own risk.

Then, the prices are expensive. The supposedly good dish ranges from Php195.00 to almost Php 400.00. More information on this Bad Customer Service + Bland Taste Food + Expensive Prices = Bad Review, after the jump!

Sulyap Gallery and Cafe (and now Bed and Breakfast) in San Pablo City

One of the nicest thing about working in the wedding industry is you get to ocular places for reception. Yesterday, we found ourselves in Sulyap, in San Pablo City, a kind of hidden place with Antique and Art Gallery that's not accessible in the main road.

I've been seeing it when driving to San Pablo City Laguna. It is only now that I learned that they just opened Bed and Breakfast as well.

We went and parked inside the place to see this building to meet a cake designer. It gives that old school, Panahon ng hapon (old Japanese time) feel. But I see other photographer feasting on the antique display of cars, old liquor brandy barrels and scooters.

Travel Laguna: Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel in San Pablo City

Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel, (Auravel derived from their grandparents name, Aurea and Avelino) just opened last December 4, 2012. It's only 10 minutes drive from the city San Pablo City town proper.  It just so happen that by the 20th of December, our cousin Ate Iyen, had her wedding reception there.

As wedding suppliers (wedding florist), and yours truly as wedding coordinator , we immediately saw the opportunity to take a look around and see what's in store.

First, we like the pool. San Pablo City is known for its cold water, but the pool water is warm and moderated.

Patis Tito Garden Cafe, San Pablo City

One of the fun things about event planning as a wedding/events coordinator and having a sister as a wedding/events florist, is we get to do ocular of new places that we can suggest to clients for their pre-nup or wedding reception.  I've been noticing the sign that says PATIS TITO GARDEN CAFE when it was still KUSINA SALUD. It was along the way to Grandma's house and same road going to my nephew's house.

One Sunday, when we were picking up the kids to go to the mall, we decided to drop by Patis Tito Garden Cafe to check the place out. It just so happen that my sister, a wedding and event florist, was looking for places to recommend to her clients.

The place is really secluded, private and if you want a very private setting and it can only house a maximum of 150 guests.

The part where the Kusina Salud is located is officially closed and for the owner's use only. The guy who assisted us was very welcoming and allowed us to take a look around the place.

Entrance

Giant Painting of the owner on the left side. Super old house on the right

The place and some interesting details

The second floor

Souvenir for sale

More of Patis Tito

 I didn't notice I have the same photo of the orange vase twice! Oh well... let's move on with the show...

Tour around the private house

Lots of Antique (not for sale)

Peak of the garden

Tips:

• A pre-nup pictorial costs: Php 2,000.00/hour. (use of the place)
• They have a small parking space. Really. If you have 150 guests suggest a carpool.
• Business hours: 11am - 9pm, closed on Mondays.
• It also has a mini-bird zoo inside the area.
• Food prices are around 100+, 200+ but since we were not able to order food, maybe I'll blog about that next time.

We could've really stayed and ordered some food for food review but since we're running after a schedule, I guess we will have to do that next time.

But there's a scanned menu for those interested to hold their weddings, baptismal, debut, anniversary and other special events:

It was really different from the pictures/features/review from magazines. It was quite an interesting place but more like a diamond in the rough.  There are some huts outside that are being renovated for the guests. I think this place is best for privacy but the place needs to be styled for an event.


How to get there:

Source

Patis Tito Café is at 285 Barangay Sta. Cruz Putol, San Pablo, Laguna. Call 7244231 and 0906-4439092.

 Credits to guest photographer, Aprille Araguas

Sanctuario de San Pablo (Round Two!)

For the second time around, we went to Sanctuario de San Pablo with my cousins. This time I got more pictures for this blog compared to my previous entry. As wedding suppliers (me as a wedding/event coordinator while my sister is a wedding/events florist), we are always eager to find something new in familiar places.

EARLY WARNING: A photo loaded entry.

Sanctuario de San Pablo's Operating Hours:
10am - 8pm daily
Rates: Php 550 for adults; Php350 for kids (4ft and below)
For massage packages, you will have to check availability of therapists because they only have 4 therapists in the house.

We decided to avail of the weekday rate. Php550.00 will get you:

• 5 hours of swimming/stay.
• 1 meal from the Buffet Menu
• Free use of the Cabanas

Additional information:

• On weekends, they have buffet for meals.
• No foods and drinks allowed in the resort.
• No pets allowed.
• Rate is inclusive of 5% Service Charge and 12% Vat. 
• It's better to call in advance because some companies reserve the whole place for a private function.
• Responsible smoking rule is implemented.

For Reservations and other offered packages as well as updated contact information, please scroll down til the end of the post.

Entrance going to the Pavillon aka official entrance

Palmeras Garden Restaurant

One of the hardest thing last Valentine's day was to go a new place that's not within elbi community or vicinity. Since we figured out that every decent resto  might probably be jam-packed, we just decided to have a simple house party instead, that within a few hours later we succumbed to the power of Tequila Rose and had and instead sleepover instead.


So I swore to my self that the next time I'm going to a new nice restaurant that I want to share to people, I will take pictures and get the contact number. I've come across some blogs with the restaurant's name in tags somehow the entry did not mention how to get there or what's the contact information. So for starters:

How's that for information?

Unfortunately, they don't have an official website so for a quick guide, here's the info:
Location: Near SM San Pablo, but on the opposite side. If you're coming from Manila, it'll be on you right side. If you're coming from Quezon or San Pablo Town Proper, it'll be on your left side.


If you plan to go there via Commute:

• From Manila, take the Lucena Bus ( usually Jaq Liner Bus or Lucena Lines ) located at LRT Buendia Taft Manila
• Ask the driver to drop you off at Palmeras Garden Resto which is along the highway.
• The nearest landmark is SM San Pablo. In fact you can see SM San Pablo from the entrance of the restaurant.
• You won't get lost, I swear! :) 

Let's check the place out while the 'oldies' order

Palmeras Garden Restaurant is probably the favorite restaurant of my aunts including my mom. I've heard her talk about it and we were already planning on having dinner there in the coming weekend weeks when my Ninang Sue declared she will treat us! Yey!

View from our "place"

You can roam around as well

Lillies

Falls

Other view

Towards the entrance

Native Feel

Romantic Ambiance

My sister Apy

Live Band area with bar

With flash

This place looks so much better at night

Entrance from Parking

Some plants that Apy took photo of

Price: Reasonably priced. The most expensive food on the menu costs P295.00

Add Ons:

• Live band! When we got there, may violin effect pa ang band. Valentine hang over lang .
• Free fast WiFi! Was able to update Facebook and twitter real-time.
• Good Filipino food. They also have French Fries. :)

Friends, add this to your secret getaway with your ...ehem...loved one! Mehganon?